SafeDisc
Encyclopedia
SafeDisc is a CD
/DVD
copy protection
and digital rights management
program for Windows applications and games. Created by Macrovision Corporation
, it aims to prevent the copying of discs for casual or commercial use.
Although the stated use is to prevent piracy, many, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation
, believe it is used to restrict one's fair-use
rights..
The early versions of SafeDisc did not make the discs very difficult to copy. Recent versions 2.9+ can produce discs that are difficult to copy or reverse engineer, requiring specific burners capable of emulating the "weak sectors" and odd data formats that are characteristic of SafeDisc.
and Alcohol 120%. SafeDisc currently blacklists
such software, meaning that those who want to use this method must install additional software to cloak the mounter. Examples include CureRom and Y.A.S.U.
Another potential attack on SafeDisc is to pull the encrypted application out of the archive it is contained in. All SafeDisc encrypted discs contain an ICD file, an encrypted format used by SafeDisc to ensure that the original CD is loaded. UnSafeDisc circumvents and decrypts SafeDisc encrypted files by opening the ICD file format, decrypting it, and converting it to an EXE file. However each program requires a specific patch to enable full functionality.
And also by the existence of two files.EXE and .ICD (where is replaced with the actual game's name).
The EXE executable is only a loader which decrypts and loads the protected game executable in the encrypted ICD file.
The initial version of SafeDisc was easy for home users and professional duplicators alike to copy, due to the fact that the ICD file can be decrypted and converted into an EXE file.
The loader file (.EXE) is now integrated into the main executable, making the .ICD file obsolete. Also the CLOKSPL.EXE file, which was present in SafeDisc v1, no longer exists.
The SD2 version can be found inside the.EXE file through its string: "BoG_ *90.0&!! Yy>", followed by three unsigned longs, these are the version, subversion and revision numbers (in hex). When making a backup, read errors will be encountered between sectors 806-10663.
The protection also has "weak" sectors, introduced with this version, which causes synchronization problems with certain CD-Writers. Digital signatures are still present in this version. But this has no effect on disc images mounted in Daemon Tools or similar programs. In addition, SafeDisc Version 2.50 added ATIP
detection making it impossible to use a copy in a burner unless software that masks this is used (CloneCD
has the ability to do this. SafeDisc Versions 2.90 and above make burning copies more difficult requiring burners that are capable of burning the "weak sectors"; these drives are uncommon. However, there are software solutions that eliminate the need for specialized hardware.
SafeDisc v3 is capable of encrypting multiple executables over one or more CDs/DVDs, as long as the executables are encrypted with the same key and the digital signature is added to each media.
SafeDisc v3 supports Virtual Drives as long as the original CD/DVD is available. Once the CD has been authenticated the game should continue to run from the virtual drive, provided the virtual drive software has not been blacklisted.
CloneCD
is able to make fair use
copies of V3.
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
/DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
copy protection
Copy protection
Copy protection, also known as content protection, copy obstruction, copy prevention and copy restriction, refer to techniques used for preventing the reproduction of software, films, music, and other media, usually for copyright reasons.- Terminology :Media corporations have always used the term...
and digital rights management
Digital rights management
Digital rights management is a class of access control technologies that are used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, copyright holders and individuals with the intent to limit the use of digital content and devices after sale. DRM is any technology that inhibits uses of digital content that...
program for Windows applications and games. Created by Macrovision Corporation
Macrovision
Rovi Corporation is a globally operating, US-based company that provides guidance technology, entertainment data, copy protection, industry standard networking and media management technology for digital entertainment devices and services...
, it aims to prevent the copying of discs for casual or commercial use.
Although the stated use is to prevent piracy, many, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation
Electronic Frontier Foundation
The Electronic Frontier Foundation is an international non-profit digital rights advocacy and legal organization based in the United States...
, believe it is used to restrict one's fair-use
Fair use
Fair use is a limitation and exception to the exclusive right granted by copyright law to the author of a creative work. In United States copyright law, fair use is a doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holders...
rights..
History
There have been several editions of SafeDisc over the years. Each one has the goals of making discs harder to copy. The current revision is marketed as "SafeDisc Advanced."The early versions of SafeDisc did not make the discs very difficult to copy. Recent versions 2.9+ can produce discs that are difficult to copy or reverse engineer, requiring specific burners capable of emulating the "weak sectors" and odd data formats that are characteristic of SafeDisc.
Circumvention
Previous versions of SafeDisc were overcome by disc image emulator software such as Daemon ToolsDaemon Tools
Daemon Tools is a disk image emulator and optical disc authoring program for Microsoft Windows. Daemon Tools was originally a furtherance in the development of another program, Generic SafeDisc emulator, and incorporated all of its features. The program claims to be able to defeat most copy...
and Alcohol 120%. SafeDisc currently blacklists
Software blacklist
Software blacklisting is a tool used by manufacturers of software and music on CD and DVD to prevent copying.Essentially the software on the disc will audit the user's computer for certain types of virtual CD and CD authoring software, or for debugging software used by warez groups to create...
such software, meaning that those who want to use this method must install additional software to cloak the mounter. Examples include CureRom and Y.A.S.U.
Another potential attack on SafeDisc is to pull the encrypted application out of the archive it is contained in. All SafeDisc encrypted discs contain an ICD file, an encrypted format used by SafeDisc to ensure that the original CD is loaded. UnSafeDisc circumvents and decrypts SafeDisc encrypted files by opening the ICD file format, decrypting it, and converting it to an EXE file. However each program requires a specific patch to enable full functionality.
Operation
SafeDisc adds a unique digital signature to the optical media at the time of replication. Each time a SafeDisc-protected program runs, the SafeDisc authenticator performs various security checks and verifies the SafeDisc signature on the optical media. The authentication process takes about 10 to 20 seconds. Once verification has been established, the sequence is complete and the program will start normally. The SafeDisc signature is designed to be difficult to copy or transfer from the original media. Certain multimedia programs are designed to run from the PC hard drive without accessing files from the program disc after the initial installation. SafeDisc will permit this as long as the consumer retains the original CD or DVD, which is required for authentication each time the program is launched. Failure to place the original disc in the drive when loading the program will prevent validation of the SafeDisc signature.SafeDisc (V1)
SafeDisk V1 protected CDs can be recognized by several files on the CD:- 00000001.TMP
- CLCD16.DLL
- CLCD32.DLL
- CLOKSPL.EXE
- DPLAYERX.DLL
And also by the existence of two files
The EXE executable is only a loader which decrypts and loads the protected game executable in the encrypted ICD file.
The initial version of SafeDisc was easy for home users and professional duplicators alike to copy, due to the fact that the ICD file can be decrypted and converted into an EXE file.
SafeDisc (V2)
The following files should exist on every original CD:- 00000001.TMP
- 00000002.TMP (not always present)
The loader file (
The SD2 version can be found inside the
The protection also has "weak" sectors, introduced with this version, which causes synchronization problems with certain CD-Writers. Digital signatures are still present in this version. But this has no effect on disc images mounted in Daemon Tools or similar programs. In addition, SafeDisc Version 2.50 added ATIP
Absolute Time in Pregroove
Absolute Time in Pregroove is a method of storing information on an optical medium, used on CD-R and other writable discs. ATIP information is only readable on CD-R and CD-RW drives, as normal drives don't need the information stored on it.-Usage:...
detection making it impossible to use a copy in a burner unless software that masks this is used (CloneCD
CloneCD
CloneCD is proprietary optical disc authoring software that makes exact, 1:1 copies of music and data CDs and DVDs, regardless of any Digital Rights Management restrictions. It was originally written by Oliver Kastl and offered by Swiss company Elaborate Bytes, but due to changes in European...
has the ability to do this. SafeDisc Versions 2.90 and above make burning copies more difficult requiring burners that are capable of burning the "weak sectors"; these drives are uncommon. However, there are software solutions that eliminate the need for specialized hardware.
SafeDisc (V3)
SafeDisc v3 uses a key to encrypt the main executable (EXE or DLL) and creates a corresponding digital signature which is added to the CD-ROM/DVD-ROM when they are replicated. The size of the digital signature varies from 3 to 20 MB depending how good the encryption must be. The authentication process takes about 10 to 20 seconds.SafeDisc v3 is capable of encrypting multiple executables over one or more CDs/DVDs, as long as the executables are encrypted with the same key and the digital signature is added to each media.
SafeDisc v3 supports Virtual Drives as long as the original CD/DVD is available. Once the CD has been authenticated the game should continue to run from the virtual drive, provided the virtual drive software has not been blacklisted.
CloneCD
CloneCD
CloneCD is proprietary optical disc authoring software that makes exact, 1:1 copies of music and data CDs and DVDs, regardless of any Digital Rights Management restrictions. It was originally written by Oliver Kastl and offered by Swiss company Elaborate Bytes, but due to changes in European...
is able to make fair use
Fair use
Fair use is a limitation and exception to the exclusive right granted by copyright law to the author of a creative work. In United States copyright law, fair use is a doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holders...
copies of V3.
SafeDisc (V4)
The current SafeDisc version is Version 4. As of November 2006, DVDs use SafeDisc v4.70SafeDisс driver vulnerabilities
On November 7, 2007 Microsoft stated that "there is vulnerability in Macrovision SECDRV.SYS driver on Windows and it could allow elevation of privilege. This vulnerability was patched by Microsoft on December 11, 2007 This vulnerability does not affect Windows Vista. The driver, secdrv.sys, is used by games which use Macrovision SafeDisc. Without the driver, games with SafeDisc protection would be unable to play on Windows".See also
- SafeCastSafeCastSafeCast was a registered trademark for Macrovision's legacy software protection system. Safecast features product activation , and executable wrapping technology...
- SecuROMSecuROMSecuROM is a CD/DVD copy protection and digital rights management product developed by Sony DADC. SecuROM aims to resist home media duplication devices, professional duplicators, and attempts at reverse engineering software. It is most often used for commercial computer games running under the...
- CD-CopsCD-CopsCD-Cops is the first CD-ROM protection that uses the geometry of the CD-ROM media rather than a hidden "mark". It was invented in 1996 by Danish Link Data Security, known for its Cops Copylock key-diskette security used in the 1990s by Lotus 1-2-3.-Overview:...
- StarForceStarForceStarForce is a software copy protection mechanism developed by Protection Technology, which claims that products protected with StarForce are difficult to reverse engineer.- Product families :Currently known official versions of StarForce include:...
- XCPExtended Copy ProtectionExtended Copy Protection is a software package developed by the British company First 4 Internet, and sold as a copy protection or digital rights management scheme for Compact Discs...
- TAGESTAGESTagès is a software copy protection system, jointly developed, at first, by MPO and the Thales Group starting in 1999...
- LaserLockLaserLockLaserLock is a CD-ROM copy restriction technique. It works by including a hidden directory on the CD which contains corrupted data. When the disk is copied, the read device encounters errors due to the hidden directory....
- Y.A.S.U.